Peters



(Model.)

' HVB., SWIPT BEDSTEAD FASTENING.

lNo. 271,996. Patented Peb., 6, 1883.`

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y, FLL-97.69.

. E a/ rf Zw e c N` PETERS. nuotuthngnwu. washington. I)4 C.

UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE.

` HORACE E. SWIFT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, AND CHARLES BENSON AND STEPHEN 'I'. WILLETS, OF SAME PLACE.

BEDSTEAD-FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,996, dated February 6 1883;

I Application filed June 19,1882. (Model.)

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, HORACE E, SWIFT, ot` Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, have invented an Improvement in Bedstead-Fastenings, of which the following is a specification. y

Fig. 2 represents an end view of the bedsteadrail. Fig. 3 represents a central vertical section of the bedstead rail and post, and Fig. 4 the post and rail combined.

.In the drawings, A is the bedstead-post, and B the rail, which is provided at its ends with a groove or saw-cut, b, within which is pivoted the hook C, adapted to engage with the pin D, which extends across the groove or mortise a in the post A. The rail B may be supported laterally by means of the flange d, and also by means of a pin,f, placed in the end-of the rail at a distance above the hook C, and which entersasuitably-located mortisein the postabve the pin D, thus serving to prevent twisting strain upon the hook from lateral strain upon the rail.

In the ordinary bedstead-rail fastenings, in which a xed cam-hook is employed, or in which a xed plain hook operates against a stationary cam-surface secured to the post is used, the wearoi' the hook or cam-surface is liable to cause looseness `of the joint, and to prevent this tendency careful workmanship is required in the fitting up of the cam-surface andin the attachment of the parts to the post and rail, and the joints so made are fliableto bind, so as to prevent the ready removal of the rail from the post; but by my improvement the wear of the parts is rendered inconsiderable, and the movementH ot' the hook C upon its pivot c when the rail B is being raised for removal from the post causes the release of the hook from its previous iirm contact with the pin D, with but slight frictional resistance to such upward movement, the engaging-pin D and pivot-pin e being so located with relation to the length of the hook C that upon the elevation of the rail the end of the rail will be allowed to move away immediately from the side of the post. In the rail B, and below the shank of the hook C, is placed transversely the wire pin g, or anequivalent fixed stop, serving to prevent the movement of the hook to a downward inclination with the end of the'rail, and by means of this stop the hook C is prevented from continuing its hold upon the pin e and again drawing the rail against the post when the rail is being elevated for the purpose of disengagement and removal.

I am aware that loose hooks have been here tofore employed for the purposeof a bedsteadfastening; but such hooks have been so constructed that the fastening was effected by drawing back the hook by means ofwedges or cams; and by means of the loose hook provided with a Xed stop against the downward movement of the hook when lifting the rail I am enabled to secure the rail andpost to each other in avery simple and effective manner' and avoid complication.

I claim as my invention- Y In a bedstead-fastening, the combination of the pivoted hook, held in the groove of the rail and provided` with a xed stop against the movement ot' the hook, to a downward inclination with the end of the rail, and the hookengaging pin, passing across the groove or mortise in the post, substantially as described.

HORACE E. SWIFT. Witnesses:

SOCRATES SoEoLFIELD, HARMON S. BABcooK. 

